News & Media

Government needs to listen to O.N.E on the needs of Veterans

15 February 2019

Labour General Election candidate Alan Mangan, has described as a ‘national shame’ the conditions facing veterans facing homelessness after years of service in the Defence Forces.

Mr. Mangan said:

“ It’s a source of national shame that veterans, who know better than most the power of our national flag, have resorted to sleeping on the streets of Dublin in green, white and orange sleeping bags.

“The Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) have been advocating for the needs of Irish veterans who have returned home after decades of service to the Irish Defence forces, and now find themselves unable to access the most basic of needs a home. In Athlone we have seen the impact of the work ONE do with homeless veterans, through their work in Custume House. Without there intervention locally, and through their initiative in Letterkenny and Dublin, many of these men and women would have nowhere safe to go and receive the help they need.

“The Government need to follow up with the ONE campaign on their concerns. They need to secure a military psychiatrist and also address the legitimate concerns of ONE.”